Older children who continue their thumb-sucking habit may experience serious repercussions that require orthodontic treatment or surgery to repair. As a result of prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use, teeth and jaw problems will occur such as:
Tooth Misalignments
When children suck their thumbs or pacifiers, the resulting pressure on the teeth can cause splaying, an outward sloping of the teeth. While movements may be subtle at first, the damage to tooth alignment is often more noticeable once the permanent teeth start to emerge. To prevent this habit, you can purchase the hand stopper thumb guard via the Amazon UK website.
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Bite Changes
One of the most common effects of thumb-sucking will be apparent in a child bites. Children who suck their thumbs or a pacifier past the age of 3 will start to develop malocclusion, both open bite or overbite.
Open bite – An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth slant to the outside in a way that prevents them from touching when the jaws are closed. It is the most common bite malocclusion caused by thumb-sucking.
Overbite – An overbite occurs when the upper jaw juts over the lower jaw.
Both of these bite malocclusion can affect a person's ability to speak clearly and can cause difficulty eating.
Refinement of Jaw and Palate
Narrowing occurs may even affect the shape of your child's face as they grow. This is a type of orthodontic problems that usually require surgery if not corrected early.